Accessory systems enabling exercise device and computing device interactions

ABSTRACT

Accessory systems configured to convert motion from a given exercise device into computer readable instructions for a given general-purpose computer. The accessory systems include a microcontroller and a sensor. The microcontroller is in data communication with the given general-purpose computer. The sensor is in data communication with the microcontroller and mounted in a position to monitor the given exercise device. The sensor is configured to detect motion of the given exercise device and to send motion data to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is programed with computer executable instructions to convert the motion data into computer readable instructions for the given general-purpose computer. In some examples, the accessory system includes a magnet, a first supplementary input, a second supplementary input, and/or a user input device.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to accessory systems for exercise devices. In particular, accessory systems enabling exercise device and computing devices interactions are described.

Exercise devices, such as treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines, and ski machines, are popular ways for people to exercise. Exercise devices enable exercising from home or a gym.

Some exercise devices include onboard computing devices and electronic displays to monitor and display exercise metrics. However, the onboard computing devices and displays tend to be either rudimentary or quite expensive. Further, the more capable and expensive onboard systems tend to be limited to specific applications defined by the manufacturer of the exercise device.

More elaborate systems translate exercise activity on an exercise device into interactions of some kind on the onboard electronic display. These interactions tend to be limited in scope, limited to fixed software running on the onboard computer, and limited to the onboard electronic display

People using exercise devices often desire to concurrently use general computing devices, such as personal computers, video game systems, and personal electronic devices like tablets and smartphones. General computing devices enable a wide variety of software applications that would be well suited to interacting with an exercise device, but at present there are no effective ways to link activity from a general exercise device to inputs for a general computing device. It would be desirable to allow one to controllably couple a given exercise device with a given computing device to translate activity from the exercise device into inputs for the computing device.

Thus, there exists a need for accessory systems that allow for exercise devices and computing devices to interact. Examples of new and useful accessory systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to accessory systems configured to convert motion from a given exercise device into computer readable instructions for a given general-purpose computer. The accessory systems include a microcontroller and a sensor. The microcontroller is in data communication with the given general-purpose computer. The sensor is in data communication with the microcontroller and mounted in a position to monitor the given exercise device. The sensor is configured to detect motion of the given exercise device and to send motion data to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is programed with computer executable instructions to convert the motion data into computer readable instructions for the given general-purpose computer. In some examples, the accessory system includes a magnet, a first supplementary input, a second supplementary input, and/or a user input device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an accessory system for converting motion from a given exercise device into computer readable instructions for a given general-purpose computer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the accessory system shown in FIG. 1 used to convert motion from an exercise bike to computer readable instructions for a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a sensor of the accessory system shown in FIG. 2 mounted on an axle of the exercise device and a magnet mounted on the wheel in a position that passes by the sensor each time the wheel rotates.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another example of an accessory system used to convert motion from a skiing exercise device to computer readable instructions for a personal computer.

FIG. 5A is a close-up view of an optical sensor of the accessory system shown in FIG. 4 with a ski of the skiing exercise device outside the detection range of the optical sensor.

FIG. 5B is a close-up view of the optical sensor shown in FIG. 5A with a ski of the skiing exercise device within the detection range of the optical sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed accessory systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various accessory systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

Definitions

The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.

“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.

“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.

“Communicatively coupled” means that an electronic device exchanges information with another electronic device, either wirelessly or with a wire-based connector, whether directly or indirectly through a communication network.

“Controllably coupled” means that an electronic device controls operation of another electronic device.

Accessory Systems Enabling Exercise Device and Computing Device Interactions

With reference to the figures, accessory systems enabling exercise device and computing devices interactions will now be described. The accessory systems discussed herein function to controllably couple a given computing device with a given exercise device.

The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that the presently disclosed accessory systems address the existing shortcomings with computing device and exercise device interactions. For example, the novel systems below enable interactions between exercise devices and computing devices regardless whether the exercise device has an onboard computing device. The novel accessory systems described herein can allow one to interact with computing devices without the substantial expensive of more elaborate onboard computing devices supplied with certain exercise devices.

Further, the novel accessory systems discussed below enable interactions with a wider range of software than is possible with onboard computing devices. Whereas general computing devices can run a wide variety of software applications, onboard computing devices on exercise devices are typically limited to running custom software created or defined by the manufacturer of the exercise device. Users desiring to run and interact with software beyond what an onboard computing device allows can do so with the novel accessory systems discussed in this document.

Contextual Details

Ancillary features relevant to the accessory systems described herein will first be described to provide context and to aid the discussion of the accessory systems.

Exercise Device

The accessory systems described below are configured to be used with a variety of exercise devices. Suitable exercise devices include treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines, ski machines, and the like. FIG. 2 depicts an exercise device 101 in the form of an exercise bike and FIG. 4 depicts an exercise device 201 in the form of a skiing exercise machine. The exercise device may be any currently known or later developed type of exercise device.

The exercise device may, but need not, include an onboard computing device. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , exercise device 101 includes an onboard computer 180 and exercise device 201 shown in FIG. 4 includes an onboard computer 280. The onboard computing devices may collect a variety of types of supplemental data and the accessory systems may communicate with the onboard computing device to receive the supplemental data as supplementary data inputs.

For example, onboard computing devices may keep track of settings supplementary data in the form of resistance levels, speed settings, inclination levels, and other similar settings. Additionally or alternatively to settings, the onboard computing device may monitor a user's performance on the exercise device to collect performance supplementary data, such as the user's speed, range of motion, or force. Some onboard computing devices may monitor and collect biometric supplementary data, such as a user's heart rate as well.

General-Purpose Computer

The accessory systems described herein serve to provide computer executable instructions to a given general-purpose computer or computing device (hereinafter general-purpose computer). The general-purpose computer may be a personal computer, a video game system, or a personal electronic device like a tablet computer or a smartphone. FIG. 2 depicts a general-purpose computer 102 in the form of a laptop computer. The general-purpose computer may be any currently known or later developed type of computing device.

Accessory System Embodiment One

With reference to FIGS. 1-3 , an accessory system 100 will now be described as a first example of an accessory system. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , accessory system 100 functions to convert motion from a given exercise device 101 into computer readable instructions for a given general-purpose computer 102. The reader can see in FIGS. 1-3 that accessory system 100 includes a microcontroller 103, a sensor 104, a magnet 106, a first supplementary input 112, a second supplementary input 113, and a user input device 140. In other examples, the accessory system includes fewer components than depicted in the figures, such as not including a first supplementary input, a second supplementary input, and/or a user input device. In certain examples, the accessory system includes additional or alternative components than depicted in the figures.

Microcontroller

Microcontroller 103 functions to process motion data from sensor 104, first supplementary data from first supplementary input 112, and second supplementary data from second supplementary input 113. Further, microcontroller 103 serves to send computer readable instructions to general-purpose computer 102.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , microcontroller 103 is in data communication with sensor 104 and with general-purpose computer 102. Microcontroller 103 is housed within a housing 130 depicted in FIG. 2 .

Microcontroller 103 is programed with computer executable instructions to convert motion data from sensor 104 into computer readable instructions for given general-purpose computer 102. The computer executable instructions are described in more detail below.

The microcontroller may be any currently known or later developed type of microcontroller. The reader will appreciate that a variety of microcontroller types exist and could be used in place of the microcontroller shown in the figures. In addition to the types of microcontrollers existing currently, it is contemplated that the accessory systems described herein could incorporate new types of microcontrollers developed in the future.

Computer Executable Instructions

The computer executable instructions function to control how microcontroller 103 processes motion data from sensor 104. The computer executable instructions also function to control how microcontroller 103 generates and sends computer readable instructions to general-purpose computer 102.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the computer executable instructions include instructions for updating a frequency variable based on frequency data obtained from sensor 104 as part of the motion data. The computer executable instructions further include instructions for assigning the frequency data to a frequency variable and for sending the frequency variable to given general-purpose computer 102.

The computer executable instructions include instructions for obtaining a threshold frequency value with which to compare with frequency data in the motion data from sensor 104. The threshold frequency value may correspond to a component of the exercise device monitored by sensor 104 moving with a minimum frequency. The minimum frequency may be selected to trigger events, such as sending keyboard inputs to general-purpose computer 102.

The computer executable instructions include instructions for sending a keyboard input to given general-purpose computer 102. The keyboard input may corresponds to pressing a single keyboard key, a combination of keyboard keys pressed simultaneously, and/or a sequence of keys or key combinations. In some examples, the instructions for sending a keyboard input are triggered when the frequency data exceeds the threshold frequency value.

The computer executable instructions may be any currently known or later developed type of computer executable instructions suitable for microcontrollers. The computer executable instructions may be in any currently known or later developed programming language and for any current or later developed operating system.

Computer Readable Instructions

The computer readable instructions function to be processed by general-purpose computer 102. The computer readable instructions may be processed by general-purpose computer 102 to control playback of a video or music file, open a file, enter text or numbers, and/or navigate a user interface among many other functions. As depicted in FIG. 2 , the computer readable instructions are configured to control a computer game 111 running on general-purpose computer 102. However, the computer readable instructions may be configured to provide a wide variety of functions in concert with motion data detected from exercise device 101.

For example, peddling faster on an exercise device can cause an avatar to travel faster in a video game simulating a bike race. More fantastically, peddling faster can make a bird character in a video game fly higher. Another type of interaction to motivate peddling at a given rate might be a video display stopping, becoming smaller, or becoming blurry if the given rate of peddling is not maintained.

The computer readable instructions may be any currently known or later developed computer readable instructions suitable for processing by a general-purpose computer or other computing device. The computer readable instructions may be in any currently known or later developed programming language and for any current or later developed operating system.

Sensor

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , sensor 104 is configured to detect motion of given exercise device 101. The reader can see in FIG. 3 that sensor 104 is a magnetic sensor. However, the sensor may be any currently known or later developed type of sensor. The reader will appreciate that a variety of sensor types exist and could be used in place of the sensor shown in the figures. In addition to the types of sensors existing currently, it is contemplated that the accessory systems described herein could incorporate new types of sensors developed in the future.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , sensor 104 is mounted in a position to monitor given exercise device 101. In particular, sensor 104 is mounted in a position to monitor motion of given exercise device 101. As depicted in FIG. 3 , sensor 104 is mounted on given exercise device 101 in a position to electromagnetically interact with magnet 106. With reference to FIG. 3 , sensor 104 is stationarily mounted to an axle 109 of a wheel 108 of given exercise device 101.

Sensor 104 is further configured to send motion data to microcontroller 103. The reader can see in FIGS. 1-3 that sensor 104 is in data communication with microcontroller 103. The motion data provided by sensor 104 includes frequency data. However, the motion data may be any currently known or later developed type of motion data.

The number of sensors in the accessory system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should appreciate that the number of sensors may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some accessory system examples include additional or fewer sensors than described in the present example.

The size and shape of the sensor may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the sensor is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the sensor is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the sensor and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.

Magnet

Magnet 106 functions to electromagnetically communicate with sensor 104. The electromagnetic communication between magnet 106 and sensor 104 helps establish the motion data sent to microcontroller 103. As shown in FIG. 3 , magnet 106 is mounted on a moving component of given exercise device 101. The reader can see in FIG. 3 that magnet 106 is mounted on a wheel 108 of given exercise device 101.

The magnet may be any currently known or later developed type of magnet. The reader will appreciate that a variety of magnet types exist and could be used in place of the magnet shown in the figures. In addition to the types of magnets existing currently, it is contemplated that the accessory systems described herein could incorporate new types of magnets developed in the future.

The number of magnets in the accessory system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should appreciate that the number of magnets may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some accessory system examples include additional or fewer magnets than described in the present example.

The size and shape of the magnet may be varied as needed for a given application. In some examples, the magnet is larger relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. In other examples, the magnet is smaller relative to the other components than depicted in the figures. Further, the reader should understand that the magnet and the other components may all be larger or smaller than described herein while maintaining their relative proportions.

Supplementary Inputs

The supplementary inputs provide additional information relevant to an exercise session to microcontroller 103. With reference to FIG. 2 , the supplementary inputs are outputs of onboard computer 180 that ships with the exercise device 101. The outputs of the onboard computer may include settings supplementary data in the form of current resistance levels, speed settings, inclination levels, and other similar settings of the exercise device. Additionally or alternatively to settings, the onboard computer device may output performance supplementary data related to a user's performance on the exercise device, such as the user's current speed, range of motion, or force exerted. Some onboard computers may output biometric supplementary data as well, such as a user's heart rate.

The supplementary inputs may be any currently known or later developed type of supplementary input. The reader will appreciate that a variety of supplementary input types exist and could be used in place of the supplementary inputs shown in the figures. In addition to the types of supplementary inputs existing currently, it is contemplated that the accessory systems described herein could incorporate new types of supplementary inputs developed in the future.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , first supplementary input 112 is in data communication with microcontroller 103 and configured to provide first supplementary data to microcontroller 103. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , second supplementary input 113 is in data communication with microcontroller 103 and configured to provide second supplementary data to microcontroller 103. With reference to FIG. 1 , first supplementary input 112 and second supplementary input 113 are in data communication with given exercise device 101.

The number of supplementary inputs in the accessory system may be selected to meet the needs of a given application. The reader should appreciate that the number of supplementary inputs may be different in other examples than is shown in the figures. For instance, some accessory system examples include additional or fewer supplementary inputs than described in the present example.

Supplementary Data

In the present example, the first supplementary data corresponds to a resistance level of the given exercise device. The second supplementary data corresponds to a duration of use of given exercise device 101. In some examples, the duration of use corresponds to how long the motion data reflects motion within a given frequency range. In other examples, the duration of use corresponds to how long given exercise device 101 is used at a given resistance level.

The supplementary data may be any currently known or later developed type of supplementary data. The reader will appreciate that a variety of supplementary data types exist and could be used in place of the supplementary data shown in the figures. In addition to the types of supplementary data existing currently, it is contemplated that the accessory systems described herein could incorporate new types of supplementary data developed in the future.

User Input Device

User input device 140 enables a user to manually input commands to microcontroller 103. With reference to FIG. 1 , user input device 140 is in data communication with microcontroller 103. As shown in FIG. 2 , user input device 140 is mounted to housing 130 enclosing microcontroller 103.

As shown in FIG. 2 , user input device 140 includes a thumb stick 141, a first button 142, and a second button 142. However, the user input device may be any currently known or later developed type of user input device.

Additional Embodiments

With reference to the figures not yet discussed in detail, the discussion will now focus on additional accessory system embodiments. The additional embodiments include many similar or identical features to accessory system 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of the additional embodiments below will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between the additional embodiments and accessory system 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the different accessory system examples.

Accessory System Embodiment Two

Turning attention to FIGS. 4-5B, a second example of an accessory system, accessory system 200, will now be described. Accessory system 200 functions to convert motion from a given exercise device 201 into computer readable instructions for a given general-purpose computer (not pictured). With reference to FIGS. 4-5B, accessory system 200 includes a microcontroller 203 and an optical sensor 204.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4-5B, exercise device 201 is a ski machine with onboard computer 280. Unlike exercise device 101, which includes a rotating wheel, exercise device 201 includes two skis that move back and forth. Optical sensor 204 is mounted in a position to detect motion of one of the skis, ski 270.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5B, optical sensor 204 is an infrared photodiode. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, optical sensor 204 includes an infrared emitter 250 and an infrared receiver 251.

Optical sensor 204 detects motion of ski 270 when ski 270 enters a line of sight of infrared receiver 251. When ski 270 enters the line of sight, ski 270 reflects back infrared radiation emitted by infrared emitter 250, which is detected by infrared receiver 251 and interpreted as motion data. FIG. 5A depicts ski 270 outside the detection range of infrared receiver 251, and FIG. 5B depicts ski 270 within the detection range of infrared receiver 251.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. An accessory system for converting motion from a given exercise device into computer readable instructions for a given general-purpose computer, comprising: a microcontroller in data communication with the given general-purpose computer; and a sensor in data communication with the microcontroller and mounted in a position to monitor the given exercise device; wherein the sensor is configured to detect motion of the given exercise device and to send motion data to the microcontroller; and wherein the microcontroller is programed with computer executable instructions to convert the motion data into computer readable instructions for the given general-purpose computer.
 2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor.
 3. The accessory system of claim 2, further comprising a magnet mounted on a moving component of the given exercise device.
 4. The accessory system of claim 3, wherein the magnet is mounted on a wheel of the given exercise device.
 5. The accessory system of claim 3, wherein the sensor is mounted on the given exercise device in a position to electromagnetically interact with the magnet.
 6. The accessory system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is stationarily mounted to an axle of a wheel of the given exercise device.
 7. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.
 8. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein the motion data includes frequency data.
 9. The accessory system of claim 8, wherein: the computer executable instructions include instructions for obtaining a threshold frequency value; and the computer executable instructions include instructions for sending a keyboard input to the given, general-purpose computer when the frequency data exceeds the threshold frequency value.
 10. The accessory system of claim 9, wherein the keyboard input corresponds to pressing a combination of keyboard keys.
 11. The accessory system of claim 8, wherein: the computer executable instructions include instructions for assigning the frequency data to a frequency variable; the computer executable instructions include instructions for updating the frequency variable based on the frequency data; and the computer executable instructions include instructions for sending the frequency variable to the given, general-purpose computer.
 12. The accessory system of claim 1, further comprising a user input device in data communication with the microcontroller.
 13. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to control a computer game running on the given, general-purpose computer.
 14. The accessory system of claim 1, further comprising a first supplementary input in data communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide first supplementary data to the microcontroller.
 15. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein: the first supplementary input is in data communication with the given exercise device; and the first supplementary data corresponds to a resistance level of the given exercise device.
 16. The accessory system of claim 14, further comprising a second supplementary input in data communication with the microcontroller and configured to provide second supplementary data to the microcontroller.
 17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein the second supplementary data corresponds to a duration of use of the given exercise device.
 18. The accessory system of claim 17, wherein the duration of use corresponds to how long the motion data reflects motion within a given frequency range.
 19. The accessory system of claim 17, wherein the duration of use corresponds to how long the given exercise device is used at a given resistance level.
 20. An accessory system for converting motion from a given exercise device into computer readable instructions for a given general-purpose computer, comprising: a microcontroller in data communication with the given, general-purpose computer; and a magnet mounted on a moving component of the given exercise device a magnetic sensor in data communication with the microcontroller and mounted on the given exercise device in a position to electromagnetically interact with the magnet; wherein the sensor is configured to detect motion of the given exercise device and to send motion data to the microcontroller; wherein the motion data includes frequency data; and wherein the microcontroller is programed with computer executable instructions to convert the motion data into computer readable instructions for the given, general-purpose computer. 